Lions hold back Bears in 2025 home opener
Mars Hill advances to 8-1 at home.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill women's basketball team (9-6, 6-5 SAC) defeated Lenoir-Rhyne (5-9, 3-7 SAC) by a score of 77-66 Wednesday evening inside Chambers Gymansium.
Mars Hill entered the second quarter down 18-17, but rallied in the second to retake the lead heading into the half. Outscoring the Bears 15-6, Naja Ngongba led the Lions with six points in the frame followed by five from Aaliyah El. The Lions defense forced five turnovers and held Lenoir-Rhyne to nine percent shooting in the frame as they converted just one of 11 shots from the floor.
In the highest scoring quarter of the night, Mars Hill outscored Lenoir-Rhyne 24-21 in the third quarter. The balanced scoring attack was led by Tateyoina Harris' six points. Ngongba and Elyseia Brown each added five apiece while El netted another four.
The Bears, trailing by as much as 16 with less than four minutes to play, clawed their way back within four with less than two minutes left in regulation. Hitting clutch free throws down the stretch, as while as a vital steal and fast break layup from Daisy Gale, sealed the win for Mars Hill, ending the game on a 7-0 run.
El tied her season and career-high with 26 points, going 10-of-14 from the floor to lead all players. El added a team-high seven rebounds and added three steals. Harris added 15 points and six rebounds while Ngongba added 11 points and three blocks.
Mars Hill returns to action on Saturday, January 11 when they host Wingate. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
